Thursday, 5 February 2009

Perak Political Crisis Deepens Further: The WILL of the Palace or the Will of the Perak Rakyat to Take Precedence ?

We ask: Was the Sultan duly advised or made aware of the reality on the ground?

Whose version of events should the Perak Sultan listen to, Barisan Nasional or Pakatan Rakyat before deciding to ask the Perak MB to resign?

Or would not it be to the best interest of the Sultan's subjects to let the Perak rakyat decide on the fate of the Perak government.

Surely every Malaysian concerned about our democratic process, wants an answer out of this unfolding chaotic mess that has plunged unnecessarily the state into a deep political hole.

The Raja Muda, Raja Nazrin had said,

The Ruler, as the head of state and country, needs to be neutral, non-partisan and free of having personal interest to ensure justice for the people. As the Head ofState at the state level and head of the country at the national level, the Ruler plays a role in upholding stability and justice, and strengthening solidarity and unity.

Has it been so, we ask, judging from the turn of events in the last few days?

As one blogger said, "There is that gulf between profession and performance. It is easy to profess ideals; it is hard to live up to them..."

Sultan of Perak's decision to impose his will on the people of Perak a BN-Government has excerbated the division of Malaysians across the country.Perak plunged deep into crisis today after Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin refused to resign on the orders of Sultan Azlan Shah, desribing the situation as a coup by Barisan Nasional, while the Umno-led coalition prepares to be sworn in as the new government.He told reporters at the official residence of the MB here.

"We are not rejecting the decision of the Sultan. We are pleading to ask for the dissolution of the assembly.

The Sultan told me that BN has 31 to 28 but I told him that was inaccurate as three have vacated their seats. I asked for consent to dissolve to protect the rights of the people.

BN has twisted it as if we are committing treason.But we are merely pleading.

The leadership council of Pakatan will seek an audience with the Sultan."

He said the Sultan had asked him to resign, and he told the ruler he would not.

But after Nizar met the Sultan, he said, "Signs are good" . But it turned out not to be.

Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the PR alliance of Pas, PKR and DAP fully supported Nizar, and wanted the matter “returned to the court of the people”.

This decision to not to resign will lead PR on a collision course with the Sultan, whose decision has been greeted with immense criticisms even on his own website where visitors have been expressing their disappointment.

Earlier, Sultan Azlan Shah announced his refusal to give his consent for the dissolution of the Perak state assembly, and asked Nizar to resign in a statement carried by national news agency Bernama.

And if Nizar refuses to resign, the post will be declared vacant.This will pave the way for BN to form the next state government.

It is understood letters have been sent by fax to the MB's and all state executive councillors, asking them to vacate their offices.

The police have also set up road blocks around the state secretariat here.

Many offices have also closed early for the day, with employers asking their staff to go home early.

It remains unclear if a planned public rally tonight will go ahead but Barisan Nasional leaders are already going ahead with plans to form the next state government.

Umno president Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi is also expected to meet the Sultan at 6pm today to confirm the formation of a new state government.

A mammoth gathering has been planned tonight, originally to be held at the MB's residence, but which has apparently been shifted to the Perak Stadium.

Earlier, the Sultan concluded a busy morning of talks with both Nizar and Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Najib Razak in a bid to break the political impasse in the state.